Godfrey Seno eyes slot to Philippine Jrs. team

CEBU, Philippines – After his resounding triumph in the 3rd leg of the 2015 Cebuana Lhuillier-Dunlop Sports Age-Group Tennis Tournament, promising Cebuano netter Jan Godfrey Seno is putting his ambitions of playing in the United States in the backseat as he eyes to join the Philippine Juniors team that will see action in the 2015 Davis Cup qualifying tournament this April.

The 15-year-old Seno said his aim of making it into the national juniors team for the Davis Cup qualifier stemmed from an invitation coming from Alberto Lim Jr., the country's top junior player.

Seno, who is currently studying at the University of San Carlos (USC)- BED, said Lim told him to compile enough Philippine Lawn Tennis Association (PHILTA) points to be able to make it into the national squad and hopefully see action in the Davies Cup qualifier.

“Gi-invite man gud ko ni Lim, who is currently the no.1 player sa Under 16 ug Under 18 divisions to collect enough PHILTA points para maka-apil ko sa Davis Cup,” said Seno.

Seno and Lim first met two years ago during the Ajay Pathak Memorial Cup/ITF Asia 14-Under Developmental Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila where they came out as champions in the doubles category.

“After the Ajay Pathak, na-lost amo communication ni Lim for two years then karon ra mi nag-communicate balik. Happy kayo ko nga sa tanan junior  players in the country, ako jud iya gi-invite ra para maka uban sa World Junior Davis Cup tournament,” said Seno.  “Ingon siya mas sayon daw ko maka-apil sa World Junior Davis Cup sa Europe if maka-apil ko sa national team para sa Davis Cup qualifier mao nga nag try jud ko karon nga makakuha og PHILTA points,” he added.

Seno has just captured his first two titles of the year when he dominated the 2015 Cebuana Lhuillier Tournament at the CitiGreen Tennis Resorts in Brgy. Punta Princesa, Cebu City. He blasted Cagayan de Oro City’s Clyde Marie Casino, the topseed in the premier boys Under-18 division, in their final duel, 6-1, 6-1.

The Bogo City-native Seno won his first championship after he shocked the spectators by scoring a love-set over the vaunted Arthur Craig Pantino in the boys 16-Under final, 6-0, 6-0.

With his goal done here, Seno’s next stop will be the Palawan Pawnshop Age-Group tilt this January 29-February 2 in Davao City and the Cebuana Lhuillier event on February 6-10 in Cagayan de Oro.

After the local tourneys, Seno plans to leave for Kuching, Malaysia along with his dad Noel to join in an International Tennis Federation-sanctioned competition to further boost his rankings.

Meanwhile, Zethley Mae Alferez of Naga City followed suit Seno’s accomplishment as she also collected a pair of titles in two age groups.

Alferez of Bright Academy outlasted longtime rival and schoolmate Shynne Villareal, 6-4, 6-2, to grab the girls 16-under crown before downing Kristin Renee Salimbangon, 6-1, 6-0, to take away the premier girls 18-under title.

Nash Agustines bagged the title in the 10-under Unisex after he demolished Claire Tiffany Nocos, 4-0, 4-2, while Brent Signmond Cortes took home the boys 12-under plum with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Ashton Benne Villanueva, 6-2, 6-1. Nocos defeated Lyra Repollo in the distaff side, 6-1, 6-3, to pocket the title.

The 14-under boys was ruled by Marc Nicole Suson, who ousted the topseeded John Steven Sonsona, 6-1, 6-0, while second seed Elizabeth Abarquez scored a 7-5, 7-6 upset over the top-ranked Gennifer Lysandra Pagente to snare the girls 14-under crown. (FREEMAN)